Council block controversial Turriff wind turbine

Aberdeenshire Council has blocked a wind turbine that attracted more than 170 objections.

A total of 172 letters were submitted when Edinburgh-based firm Greenspan Energy forged ahead with plans to install a 252ft turbine on land to the west of Waulkmill Farm, near Turriff.

Concerns included the impact the structure would have on the surrounding area and the effect it could have on nearby residents’ health.

It was initially refused by the local authority’s planning service in July, but went to review.

Councillors decided to back that decision however, and have now blocked the turbine from being constructed.

In a report prepared on the planning application, Karen Wiles, head of legal and governance, said the turbine was refused because it did not meet guidelines.

Her findings will be discussed at next week’s Formartine area committee.

“The proposed turbine would have an adverse impact on the landscape character of the area due to being dominant and out of scale with the landscape, resulting in a noticeable change to it,” she said.

The turbine would have been located at land owned by Maxwell Farms Ltd, a local agricultural business.

It employs 21 members of staff on a full-time basis, 12 seasonal

workers, and supports jobs for six self-employed contractors.

Vickie Scruton, an environmental planner for Greenspan, said the business was “experiencing ever-pressing needs to diversify” because of changing market conditions.

“The income from the wind turbine would be a very welcome addition and will help the company to continue to operate at Auldtown of Carnousie,” she said, as the company appealed the planning service’s decision.